By Charlotte Barnett
As a new school year begins, it is time to sign up for extracurricular activities!
High school isn’t just about grades—it's about discovering who you are and who you can become. Extracurricular activities are your passport to personal growth, unexpected skills and unforgettable memories! So, here are some of my recommendations and reasons as to why you should immerse yourself in these new opportunities!
Recommendation 1: School Sporting Teams 🏅🏸
At Loreto, we are lucky to have a wide range of sports on offer each term. Participating in at least one of these sports during the school year is a great way to meet new people, enhance your personal sporting skills and to try something new. My personal favourites are IGSA Netball, Softball and Dance Troupes.
Recommendation 2: Performing Arts🎭🎼
If you have a passion for the stage or music, our school offers fantastic opportunities in the performing arts. For starters, if you are interested in learning a new instrument or improving your current abilities, you can enroll in private music lessons or put your name down to be a part of one of the many music ensembles. Next, there is theatre-sports which is available for girls in years 9-12, and it is a great way to improve your improvisation skills, alongside meeting girls in many different years. Lastly, keep a lookout for any notifications on school productions and I encourage you to get involved!
Recommendation 3: Oratory Programs📑🗣️
For those interested in developing their public speaking and critical thinking skills, our school offers excellent oratory programs. These activities not only boost your confidence but also enhance your ability to articulate ideas clearly and persuasively. Some programs include Ethics Olympiad, Archdale and CSDA Debating, CSDA and Rostrum Public Speaking, Mock Trial, Future Problem Solving and the IGSA Festival of Speech. I have participated in both Public Speaking competitions and they were a great way to build my confidence in public speaking, as well as my ability to articulate complex ideas clearly. So, definitely get involved if you want to improve your confidence in crowds.
Recommendation 4: Environmental and Social Justice 🌱🌏
Our school offers several exciting opportunities for students passionate about environmental sustainability and social justice. These include Green Team (Who discuss areas of recycling programs, waste reduction strategies and ways to be more eco-friendly), JPIC (Focusing on social justice issues and environmental concerns), IBVM Youth Advocate Program (Aims to increase youth involvement in designing and implementing youth-led programs), and Wrapped with Love (A community service initiative, which involves creating wool blankets and then to donate them to those who are less fortunate).
Recommendation 5: MARY WORD!!!📰👩💻
Last but not least, our school newspaper offers the opportunity to improve your writing skills whilst also getting to engage with the girls in other year groups. It challenges your critical thinking and analytical skills, building confidence in expressing ideas and providing a platform for students to express opinions and shared experiences. It is an excellent way to grow not only as a writer, but as a person as you are given a chance to contribute meaningfully to our school community. Whether you’re interested in writing, editing, photography or interviewing, there’s a role for everyone in the Mary Word!
As you embark on this new school year, remember that extracurricular activities are more than just additional commitments – they are transformative experiences that will shape your personal growth, skills and understanding of the world.
Lots of love,
Charlotte xx
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